Episode 071 – Brooke Skinner Ricketts, Co-Founder and President, Beyond Barriers

On this episode of the Executives’ Exchange, we are ecstatic to welcome Brooke Skinner Ricketts, Co-Founder and President of Beyond Barriers. Brooke is a natural leader and shares her insights on leadership, resilience, and the importance of authentic personal branding during this conversation. She is joined by guest host Travis Hunter, Managing Partner of KPMG’s Chicago office and a member of the Exec Club Board of Directors.

00:00 – Intro

01:00 – Early Childhood & Introduction to Activism

03:45 – Impactful Figures of Activism

06:35 – Start of Professional Career 

11:20 – Involvement in Corporate Strategy

16:15 – Letter to Younger Self

18:25 – Drive to Start Beyond Barriers

22:28 – Best Parts of Being Entrepreneurial

24:40 – Working Closely with Spouse and Aligning Values

28:25 – Working with Other Companies and What to Look For

30:45 – Changing the Environment around Diversity and Inclusion

31:55 – Potential vs. Current Performance in Individuals

36:01 – Process of Growing in One’s Journey and Battling Self-Doubt

41:05 – Realization and Pivot of Own Goals

42:35 – Significance of Being LGBQT Role Model

44:18 – Cubs Charity Involvement

46:50 – Rapid-Fire Questions

52:00 – Outro

Episode Link: Beyond Barriers

Guest Host: Travis C. Hunter Jr., Chicago Office Managing Partner, KPMG

Producer: Eva Penar, Chief Content & Communications Officer, The Executives’ Club of Chicago   

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